Southern California -- this just in

Carmen Trutanich will run for L.A. district attorney

February 9, 2012 | 10:44
am

Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich announced Thursday he will run for district attorney, ending months of speculation.

“I love my job as City Attorney, but I can’t do my job to protect residents — nor can our local police and sheriffs — without a crime fighting partner in the DA’s office,” Trutanich said in a statement.

Trutanich collected nearly $1 million in donations last year, amassing a campaign war chest that dwarfs those of the declared candidates. Five prosecutors with the district attorney's office — including Alan Jackson, Bobby Grace, Jacquelyn Lacey, Danette Meyers and Mario Trujillo — are also vying to replace retiring Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley.

During the campaign for city attorney, Trutanich called on then-City Councilman Jack Weiss to join him in swearing to seek a second term should he become city attorney and to promise not to run for another office, including district attorney, while serving in the post. The pledge called on the election winner to donate $100,000 to an after-school program and to take out full-page newspaper ads declaring "I am a liar" if he violated the terms.